In Secret has laid the foundation for another Group 1 shot after overcoming a dawdling start to kick off her autumn campaign with a win.
The Godolphin filly has been tardy to jump in her barrier trials and was again slow out of the gates before gathering herself to settle midfield in Saturday’s Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Nash Rawiller let her creep into the race and when the splits came in the straight, In Secret ($1.95 Ladbrokes Aus fav) charged through them to deny Sunshine In Paris ($5) by a short head with another relative newcomer to stakes company, Cinderella Days ($31), holding third another half-length away.
Trainer James Cummings wasn’t overly perturbed by In Secret’s barrier lag and said the team had been well prepared for the scenario.
“She probably had a bit of a bad experience at the end of last preparation out of the barriers and she’s been a little slow out, dwelling in both of her barrier trials, so we were expecting that today,” Cummings said.
“Nash was quick to realise he shouldn’t panic if that happened and just to gather her up and fill her sails full of air and away she went once she got the gap. He timed his run perfectly.
“It’s a really neat return from my perspective and I’m very pleased with the filly.”
Godolphin has now won the Light Fingers Stakes three times in the past six years with In Secret joining Flit (2020) and Alizee (2018) on the honour roll.
The winner will now progress to the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in two weeks.
“This is a very, very good filly and we’re unbelievably happy to have her,” Cummings said.
“The Group One Surround is over seven furlongs in two weeks and it would be great to see her flourish in the next fortnight ahead of that target.”